Mchinji bans maize vendors

Mchinji District Council Wednesday resolved to ban vendors from buying maize in the district until May 31.

The resolution was made during a full council meeting the district held where different sectors brought and presented the 2016/17 reports.

During the meeting, it was noted that traders are offering prices as low as K70 per kilogramme of maize.

Mkoma Ward councillor, Nathan Ndhlamini said vendors should wait for the farmers to harvest to avoid the vice.

“I am not saying vendors should stop buying maize, but they have to wait until these farmers who are complaining now should harvest maize in their fields because the maize market which has been established now is encouraging some people to steal maize and sell to the vendors,” he said.

Dhlamini said most farmers sell their farm produce earlier without proper planning and do not keep some for consumption.

Council chairperson Edson Josiah said despite the fact the district has already started issuing produce purchase licences to vendors, the council will soon obtain a court order to ban the vendors.

Meanwhile, Mchinji District Business Owners’ Association chairperson Robson Mwale has welcomed the development and that they will wait until the scheduled date.  n